Author's note: I don't own Watchmen or any of the characters; I'm just playing with them.

Thanks to Mongie for betaing!

i.
Adrian Veidt had spent a good portion of his youth retracing Alexander the Great’s footsteps, but he has not yet successfully emulated them in his own time. He is quickly approaching thirty; at that age, Alexander was at the height of his power, with millions of subjects paying him tribute. Adrian is only a glorified janitor, sweeping the scum from the city streets.

He can almost hear the seconds ticking by, marking how he has failed to do enough, and yet his work is never done. Even if he had an eternity to deal with the gangs and drug syndicates of New York, Adrian would never be able to eradicate them completely. There are too many to fight, too many who grasp at power with bloodstained hands, and Adrian simply does not have eternity at his disposal. He makes a point of staying in excellent shape, but he is still susceptible to disease and injury. His idol’s untimely demise serves as a reminder of his own mortality.

Not even the smartest man in the world can do everything on his own. Alexander the Great knew this, too; after all, he had not conquered Persia by himself. He’d needed soldiers to execute his orders.

There are other masked vigilantes patrolling the streets of New York City at night; once, the costumed heroes had even banded together to fight the lawbreakers of the city.

Adrian believes that it is time for a reprise.